Ophidiomycose Een bedreiging voor slangenpopulaties.

Ophidiomycosis: A Growing Threat to Snake Populations.

Ophidiomycosis, also known as snake fungal disease (SFD), was first identified in 2006 among timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in the northeastern United States, where it caused significant population declines. The disease is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, which belongs to a group of fungi known for infecting animal skin tissue. Ophidiomycosis predominantly affects snakes weakened by factors like habitat loss, climate change, and human disturbances, thriving in moist environments. Symptoms of ophidiomycosis include skin lesions, thickening, scaling, deformities, and abnormal behaviour such as lethargy and frequent basking. In advanced stages, it can disrupt the nervous system and often leads to death. Originally confined to North America, ophidiomycosis has spread to Europe since 2017, with cases confirmed in countries like the UK, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and recently the Netherlands. The disease affects species such as the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) and the adder (Vipera berus), raising concerns about the ecological impact as snakes play a vital role in controlling prey populations and maintaining ecological balance. Efforts to manage ophidiomycosis involve extensive research into its spread and potential treatments. In the Netherlands, organizations like RAVON, in collaboration with the University of Ghent, monitor snake populations and encourage public participation in reporting and collecting samples for analysis. This collaborative approach aims to curb the spread and mitigate the disease’s impact on snake populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]